Unemployment is a harsh reality for many Americans -- in April of 2013, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 7.5 percent of Americans were unemployed, including 6.4 percent of Texans. If you fall among that percentage, the Texas Workforce Commission's unemployment benefits program can help you get back on your feet as you search for a new job. As is the case in other state unemployment programs, not just anyone can apply -- you have to meet the eligibility requirements set by the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act.

Past Wages

In Texas, as in other states, your unemployment benefit amounts depend on the taxable wages paid to you by an employer during what is known as your base period. To apply for and receive benefits, you must have received taxable income during this period, which the TWC defines as the first four of the last five calendar quarters before the date of your first unemployment claim. You must have earned wages for at least two of these quarters, and your total base period wage must equal 37 times your weekly benefit amount, at minimum. If you previously claimed unemployment benefits from the state, you must have earned six times your new weekly benefit amount since then. The TWC does make some exceptions for base period requirements based on disabilities, serious medical conditions, injury or pregnancy.

Job Separation

To apply for benefits in Texas, the reason you are out of work or working reduced hours must be no fault of your own. If you were laid off or are working reduced hours, you may apply for benefits, unless your situation stems from disciplinary action by your employer. If your lack of employment results from misconduct, because you were fired or because you quit without good cause as defined by the state, you may not be eligible for benefits. Examples of “good cause” include an unsafe work environment, significant alterations to your work agreement, consistent problems related to pay, or personal issues such as medical conditions, caring for a child or spouse or re-locating with your military spouse.

How to Apply

Once you determine your eligibility for unemployment benefits, you can apply by calling the TWC Tele-Center at 800-939-6631. Alternatively, you may create a username and password at the TWC website and apply online, provided you've lived in Texas for at least 18 months. In either case, have your Social Security number, the start and end dates of your last job, your last employer's contact information, your last pay rate and the number of hours you worked handy before applying.

Ongoing Eligibility Requirements

After you apply for and receive unemployment benefits from the state of Texas, you have to meet certain requirements for ongoing eligibility. The TWC requires you to participate in re-employment activities, maintain an active and well-documented work search and respond to any requests from their Workforce Solutions office. You must also remain available for full-time work and be willing and able to accept job offers.

About the Author

Dan Ketchum has been a professional writer since 2003, with work appearing online and offline in Word Riot, Bazooka Magazine, Anemone Sidecar, Trails and more. Dan's diverse professional background spans from costume design and screenwriting to mixology, manual labor and video game industry publicity.